This collection examines and explains racial and ethnic family patterns in the United States. Identities, including racial and ethnic ones, are formed and harbored in the family. One's identity influences one's interaction with members of other groups and individuals' behaviors in a number of ways that reflect group membership. The 22 papers in this collection explore racial and ethnic identities, beginning with discussions of the current status of Black, Asian American, American Indian, Hispanic, and Jewish families in a section entitled "The Current States of Racial and Ethnic Families." A section on "Parenting and Socialization in Ethnic Families" considers the roles of family members in the family and society and parenting practices. "Interracial Dating, Mate Selection, and Marriage" contains four chapters on racial attitudes. A final section, "Education and Family Structure Issues," presents four chapters on marriage and the family among ethnic groups. References follow each chapter. (Contains 7 figures and 68 tables.) (SLD)